Il-pjan sigriet ta’ Eduardo

Eduardo and Diego are best friends: they’re neighbours; they attend the same school and are even classmates. They also share the same birthday!

But here’s the rub: Diego celebrates his big day every year in a different venue, while Eduardo always has his birthday party at home. And Eduardo is unhappy about this…

Eduardo and Diego have very different families. Eduardo lives in a traditional family, with a mum and dad under the same roof, while Diego has two families – his mum’s and his dad’s.

But this year, Eduardo has a secret plan that, he is sure, will turn the tables on his parents! And his secret cunning plan – with the help of his buddies Diego and Sofia – is the starting point for this lovely story.

Il-pjan sigriet ta’ Eduardo, published by Merlin Publishers and originally written in Portuguese by Rita Rugeroni, uses a lighthearted approach to talk about the complex reality of different forms of family units, including that of divorced parents.

While the story ostensibly revolves around parties and presents, the children in the book reflect on their different families. Diego and Sofia admit that it wasn’t always easy for them, but together with Eduardo they come to realise that although each of them has a different kind of family unit, they are all equally happy.

In a delicate, judgement-free style of writing, this gem of a picture book carries across the message that there is no ideal family. What counts, at the end of the day, is the love that binds each of them together. And where there’s love, there’s family.

Il-pjan sigriet ta’ Eduardo was translated by award-winning author Antoinette Borg.

Merlin Publishers has made a name for its picture books by dealing with various sensitive topics in a child-friendly, gentle way. These provide the ideal set-up for young children and their parents and guardians to discuss in a safe space such delicate themes.

‘Il-pjan sigriet ta’ Eduardo’ is available from all bookshops and online directly from merlinpublishers.com with free postage.